If you haven’t had the opportunity to get to know who Vanessa Buttinger is, keep reading below. The incoming School of Business and Economics Society (SBESS) President has some great ideas on what makes up a great Laurier student experience and how she and her team intend to accomplish this.
Name: Vanessa ButtingerProgram: BusinessYear: 3rdHometown: Kitchener, ON
In your opinion, what is the best part of being involved in Laurier student life?
The best part of being involved in Laurier student life is understanding that you have the ability to make changes to improve the day to day experiences of students. Many students attend Laurier to participate in different activities and knowing that they feel it was worth their time to attend something you have organized is extremely rewarding. That is what has driven me to want to do more and add further value for students. Even the small things go a long way and understanding that something as small as a pancake breakfast can make a difference in someone’s morning is why we will work to have another.
Where do you think the biggest opportunities exist to improve the Laurier experience for students?
The Laurier experience relies on the activities you partake in outside of the classroom. Our SBE clubs as well as most of the other clubs and associations within Laurier host amazing events with great keynote speakers and opportunities that are very complimentary to our academics. It would be great to see our faculty more inclined to support students who take the initiative to attend these by allocating things like bonus marks to certain events they deem relatable to current content in class. It not only helps students to better connect to their current academic content, but also helps to increase attendance at these events.
What do you think the biggest obstacles are for students when deciding on whether to participate in extra-curricular activities?
I think the biggest obstacle is not putting yourself out there. I know many students who would be great for a variety of different positions but personally feel they are not a strong enough candidate and do not apply. I agree it takes a lot to put yourself out there, but the first step is to understand that the worst thing that will happen is not the end of your world.
How do you plan on being a successful leader as the SBESS President?
I want to make sure I am available for students, and my team is around to answer their questions and explain what we are doing. Something I’ve proposed is an open door policy for the SBE Clubs Office. The office is in a vital location within the Peters Building and is accessible for students. Being there myself or having another representative of SBESS to be available to students when they have questions throughout the day will be a huge improvement in becoming more visible and improving communication on campus.
How influential do you think the Laurier community is and has been for your future and past successes?
Immensely influential! I can honestly say that this school has built me up as both a student and an individual. The challenges I’ve been faced with and have overcome here at Laurier have set me up to succeed and achieve goals that at one point only seemed to be dreams.
If you could go back in time, what is one piece of advice you would give your younger self?
I’d tell myself not to be scared to challenge myself. Richard Branson said, “If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you’re not sure if you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it.” I really believe in this because if you want it, things will work themselves out. If someone told me back in first year what I would be doing now as SBESS President I wouldn’t have believed them. I have always thought this would be an amazing opportunity, but I never would have believed in myself back then. In a few short years, many things have changed and here I am. I often wonder what I missed out on for saying “no” when I didn’t believe in myself.
Looking ahead, what is one piece of advice you’d give to your future self?
To continue to say yes and accept the challenges ahead knowing the future will be brighter. I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason, but that it can be influenced by your personal decisions and behaviors.
What “most likely to” superlative would you be most honored to receive:
“Most likely to start a charity”
Complete the sentence, If there’s one thing every Laurier student must experience it is:
Homecoming on a warm, sunny day!
We wish you all the best for the next year, Vanessa and can’t wait to see all that you will achieve!